Current, former Howard Hawks taken in MLB draft

June 13, 2013

Howard College's baseball program has a history of sending players off to the next level. Whether that level is a Division I school, a minor league squad or a major league organization, HC Manager Britt Smith can be counted on to root for their success.

This season, several Hawks, former Hawks and future Hawks have been eyed by the big league scouts. Topping the list of hopefuls is the 6'9'' David Palladino, a righty from Emerson, N.J. Palladino went in the fifth round and was taken as the 164th overall pick by the New York Yankees.

That doesn't mean we'll be seeing Palladino mixed in the Bombers' rotation along with C.C. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda next year, but according to Smith, Palladino is MLB-ready.

â€śThe average length of time a kid will spend in the minors is six years,â€ť Smith explained. â€śIt really depends on the kid. How do they handle themselves off the field? It all varies by position and organization. There is some physical skill involved, but you have to be able to handle professional baseball. There's a maturity level that's required. Palladino is a pretty polished guy. He got drafted because of his big time arm strength. His downfall is that he may not be able to develop much more.â€ť

Another hurler Smith is sending off is David Gates. The 6'5'' Lubbock native may be seen on the mound for the Texas Rangers at some point, after being picked up in the 18th round.

â€śGates has a chance to be fast-tracked,â€ť Smith said of the right-hander. â€śHe will be a reliever someday. That's a guy who can pitch in the big leagues for 10-15 years. He has to develop some more and he won't be a starter. He's a starter at this level, but I told him, â€śYou're going to be a reliever.â€ť The Rangers love him because he's competitive and he's willing to work hard.â€ť

Kyle Bartsch, a former Hawk who transferred to Southern Alabama, was taken in the seventh round by the Kansas City Royals.

â€śBartsch is a great development story,â€ť Smith said. â€śHe continued to work and he has the all-time career saves record at Southern Alabama. He's a 91-93 mile per hour left-handed closer. He could make it.â€ť

Smith, along with assistants Jake Carlson and Robert Martinez, lost a handful of guys to the draft, including pitcher Hunter Wood who signed with the Tampa Bay Rays and catcher Tanner Norton, who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.

â€śIt wasn't unexpected,â€ť Smith said. â€śWe go through this every year. Norton is a catcher from Northern Kentucky with a big time bat. I think his bat is little more ready for the big leagues than his catching is.â€ť

Position players are typically in for a long haul once drafted. The years of grinding it out in minors may not translate to a major league career. Paul Hendrix and Levi Scott will each get a shot to prove themselves. Hendrix left Howard College in 2012, while Levi Scott graduated this year.

â€śPaul's got a good shot,â€ť Smith said. â€śSo does Levi. Paul is more of a grinder, He'll find a way to be successful. Levi has the physical ability. It's a lot harder to make it to the big leagues as a position player. You have to be stronger mentally. Pitchers can be fast-tracked a little quicker.â€ť

Some Hawk fireballers have found their feet on major league rubber. Pedro Villareal earned a shot with the Cincinatti Reds this year, though he's back in the minors currently. Burch Smith has been on the Padres' depth chart twice.

But as Smith will tell you, there are no guarantees. Many players with loads of talent will falter in the minors, while others who are willing to work and can handle the pressure of playing ball professionally may succeed.

â€śIt's not a game at that level,â€ť Smith added. â€śThat's what a lot of people don't understand. At that level, it's a business. We always wish the players well. We will be honest with them and give them advice when we're asked for it, but we never stand in a kids way, even if we think it may be the wrong decision for them at the time. We build relationships with these guys during the recruiting process and we wish them the best.â€ť